Sir, - In response to Mo Comyn (May 14th), we would like to clarify a few points. In February 2001, Comhlamh initiated the call for legislation in Ireland against the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which has been taken up by Liz McManus TD in a private member's Bill. However, as experience from other countries, such as the UK and the US, has shown, legislation alone without consultation on the complexities surrounding the issue and education on the harmful consequences of the practice will only serve to push the practice underground.
Ms Comyn is "appalled" at our statement that the practice of female genital mutilation "is not based on the intention to harm". It is only through understanding the underlying reasons for the practice that we can initiate an appropriate sensitisation and education programme in tandem with legislation.
Female genital mutilation is part of a complex system of rules and based on a social construct which keeps in place the subordinate role of women in societies where FGM is practised. It is performed by women (sometimes mothers, grandmothers and aunts) on women and girls from their own society and culture. FGM is also performed because of a parent's desire for their daughter's acceptance into society and her subsequent marriage. Therefore, the success of any campaign to ban FGM requires the involvement of those who currently practise or are at risk from FGM.
We agree with Ms Comyn that we "should be doing everything in our power to make sure that not one little girl is mutilated in this country", and any other country for that matter. Comhlamh supports the worldwide ban on female genital mutilation, but Ireland needs to be prepared to learn from other countries' experiences in dealing with this issue. - Yours, etc.,
Majella Darcy, Ros O'Oughlin, Jean Long, Comhlamh Health and Development Group, Upper Camden Street, Dublin 2.